“Smart Energy for the Generation of the Future” was the topic that brought together students from Tuzla and Zenica to discuss how young people understand renewable energy, see their own role in a society that embraces energy challenges, and develop innovative solutions in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The event organized by the European Union in BiH, explored how youth can contribute to building a sustainable energy future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event started with minute of silence for the victims of recent fire at the Retirement Care Home in Tuzla
The Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, as well as Alfred Grannas Ambassadors of Germany, Åge Sandal Møller ambassador of Denmark, Francois Delmas ambassador of France, Ioanna Efthymiadou ambassador of Greece, and Helena Lagerlöf ambassador of Sweden conveyed messages to students highlighting the importance of sustainable energy and innovation in the context of European integration.
“Through the GenChange programme, we want to empower BiH students to become drivers of the changes necessary for Bosnia and Herzegovina to succeed in future. There are few more important changes needed than the green and digital transition. The discussions we’re having today — about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and decarbonisation will help shape a cleaner, more sustainable, and more competitive future for everyone. The EU is happy to stand by BiH in this journey — supporting reforms, investments, and new opportunities that bring the country closer to the EU family.”, stated Ambassador Soreca.
The event in Tuzla, organised in partnership with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Tuzla and the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences of the University of Zenica, focused on the current challenges of the energy transition. Through the panel discussion “Smart Energy for the Generation of the Future,” students explored innovative approaches to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the active role of youth in shaping Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sustainable energy future.
Vice-Dean for Education and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Tuzla, Majda Tešanović, stressed the importance of initiatives like Student Talks, which bring together young people from across the country, enabling them to exchange ideas and visions for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European future. She also expressed particular satisfaction in hosting colleagues from the University of Zenica, noting that dialogue and understanding are the foundations of societal progress.
“Smart energy means using resources responsibly and investing in solutions that do not harm the environment. Our generation must be the one to lead change, because we will live with the consequences of today’s decisions. I believe that through knowledge and innovation, we can build a more sustainable future,” said Amra Mehanović, President of the Student Association of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Zenica.
The Student Talks series within the Generation Change programme will continue in Mostar. The initiative keeps connecting young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina through dialogue, exchange, and joint idea creation that shapes the country’s future. The most successful participants will be invited to take part in media training sessions, while the most creative among them will have the opportunity to travel to Brussels next year to present their ideas on the European stage.
